Percolator pump

ABSTRACT

A LIQUID PUMP FOR USE IN A PRECOLATOR APPLIANCE WHICH PUMP IS MOUNTED ON THE LOWERMOST END OF A HOLLOW STEM ADAPTED TO FIT IN THE LIQUID CONTAINER OF THE PRECOLATOR SUCH THAT THE PUMP SEATS OVER A WELL IN THE BOTTOM WALL OF THE CONTAINER IN THERMAL ASSOCIATION WITH A HEATER ASSEMBLY AND THEREBY DEFINES A PUMP WELL CHAMBER. THE LIQUID PUMP IS DESIGNED TO PUMP THE LIQUID IN THE WELL OF THE CONTAINER UP THE HOLLOW STEM WHERE IT FALLS ONTO AND THROUGH A COFFEE BASKET SUPPORTED NEAR THE UPPER END OF THE STEM. A BY-PASS PASSAGEWAY INTERCONNECTS THE PUMP WELL CHAMBER AND THE LIQUID CONTAINER, WHICH PASSAGEWAY MAY SELECTIVELY BE PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY OPENED TO PREVENT A SELECTED PORTION OF THE LIQUID PASSING INTO THE CHAMBER FROM BEING FED UP THE STEM AND THROUGH THE COFFEE BASKET, THEREBY CONTROLLING THE STRENGTH OF THE BREW.

D. J. JORDAN PERCOLATOR PUMP Feb. 9, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July15, 1969 D. J. JORDAN PERCOLATOR PUMP Feb. 9, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed July 15, 1969 United States Patent 3,561,888 PERCOLATOR PUMP DenisJ. Jordan, Eau Claire, Wis., assignor to National Presto Industries,Inc., Eau Claire, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed July 15, 1969,Ser. No. 841,768

Int. Cl. F04f 1/18 US. Cl. 417209 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Aliquid pump for use in a percolator appliance which pump is mounted onthe lowermost end of a hollow stem adapted to fit in the liquidcontainer of the percolator such that the pump seats over a well in thebottom wall of the container in thermal association with a heaterassembly and thereby defines a pump well chamber. The liquid pump isdesigned to pump the liquid in the well of the container up the hollowstem where it falls onto and through a coffee basket supported near theupper end of the stem. A by-pass passageway interconnects the pump wellchamber and the liquid container, which passageway may selectively bepartially or completely opened to prevent a selected portion of theliquid passing into the chamber from being fed up the stem and throughthe cofiee basket, thereby controlling the strength of the brew.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various means have been suggested over aperiod of many years for controlling the strength of the brew producedin percolator-type cofleemakers. Some of these devices vary the periodof time for performing the percolation process according to the strengthdesired in the ultimate brew. Other devices provide a variable controlof the brews strength by percolating the brew at selected differenttemperatures, as by means of an adjustable thermostat. These prior artdevices are deficient for a number of reasons, among them being thenoticeable eiiect on the flavor. Also, when temperature control is usedto adjust the strength, either the Weak brew is too cold or the strongbrew is too hot.

According to my invention, the strength of the decoction may be variedby controlling the amount of heated water conducted through the solidswhich are to be decocted or extracted during a given period of time. Byusing such a brewing process, it is possible to obtain a beverage ofconsistent good flavor at the desired temperature for different settingsof strength, lacking the overcooked flavor incident to the use of someprior devices,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to percolating-typebrewing devices, and more particularly, to a novel pump device having ameans for controlling the strength of decoction in a percolating-typebrewing device.

Briefly, the novel pump of this invention is designed to be used in apercolator-type cotieernaker having a base and a liquid containersupported thereon with a sump or well portion in its bottom wall. Thelower portion of the pump structure seats across the top of the well. Aheating element is provided in the base surrounding the wall whichdefines the well in order to heat the water in the well. Formed in awall of the pump is a central opening for receiving the lower end of ahollow stem and an inlet passageway for permitting liquid to enter thewell. A check valve is provided in the pump which closes the inletpassageway under the influence of the increase in pressure, due to thewater in the well being heated, and the pressure forces the heatedliquid up the hollow stem,

ice

from which it overflows and falls upon the perforated container andpasses therethrough.

In accordance with this invention a bypass means is provided in the pumpwhich controls, upon each closing of the check valve, the volume ofliquid that is forced up the hollow stem by feeding a selected portionof each slug or pulse of heated liquid trapped in the well back into theliquid container. The by-pass means has a control knob which can bemanually adjusted to vary the amount of each liquid slug that by-passesthe stem and coffee basket and is fed back to the liquid container,thereby to control the strength of the brew, since the strength isdirectly proportional to the volume of liquid that passes through thecoffee or other material to be decocted in a given period of time at agiven temperature. The control knob is carried on the lower portion ofthe hollow stem and can be readily adjusted before the stem is insertedinto the coifeemakers liquid container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of thepresent invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an electric percolator typecoifeemaker shown partly in section to depict a liquid pump embodyingthe principles of the present invention as it is used in theCoffeemaker;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the liquid pump illustrated in FIG. 1with the strength control element being disposed above the pump housing;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the liquid pump depicted in FIG. 1 as itis seated above the well in the bottom wall of the liquid container;

FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the liquid pump shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-46 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a top elevational view of the pump well depicted in FIG. 3"with the brew strength control element removed therefrom; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT My novel liquid pump, generallydesignated by the reference numeral 10, is illustrated in FIG. 1 asbeing used with an automatic, electric percolator-type coiieemaker,generally designated by the reference numeral 12. The coffee'maker 12has a base 14 with an upwardly opening recess 15 and a generallycylindrical-shaped liquid container 16 having a bottom wall 17 in whichis formed a sump or well 18 which extends into the recess 15. A handle19 is secured to the outer surface of the liquid container 16 directlyopposite to the spout 20 which is formed with the bottom portion of theliquid container 16 in a conventional manner.

The liquid pump 10 is secured to the lower end of a hollow stem 22 andsupported on the upper end of stem 22 is a coffee basket or containerfor holding the comminuted coffee or other material to be decocted,generally designated by the reference numeral 24. The stem 22 and itsassociated parts are adapted to be removed from the container 16 throughits top opening 25 which opening may be closed by a lid 26. When thestem 22 is inserted into the container 16, the liquid pump 10 seatsacross the top of the well 18.

To provide heatfor the Water to be pumped by the liquid pump 10, aheater assembly 28 is positioned around the wall forming the well 18. Abracket 21 secured to the underside of the bottom wall 17 of the liquidcontainer 16 is apertured so that the container can be connected to thebase 14, as by a screw 23 and nut 25.

It will be understood that notwithstanding the fact that the illustratedpercolator 12 is one of the automatic, electric type, the improved pumpconstruction can be utilized in any percolator and does not necessarilyhave to be used in an electric or automatic one.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, my novel liquid pump comprises wall means anddisposed above the wall means 30 is a brew strength control element 32.As clearly shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the wall means30 is formed as an inverted cup-shaped housing which has a top portion36 and sidewall 38. To form a water-tight seal the sidewall 38 of thehousing has a horizontal flange 40 extending from its upper end overwhich the margin 42 of the top 36 is crimped. Wall means 30 of pump 10when seated on the upper end of wall means 47 of the well 18 defines apump well chamber.

The top 36 of the pump housing is centrally apertured at 37 to receiveand to be rigidly connected to the hollow stem 22 between the lower endof the stem and the annular bead 44. The brew strength control element32 is centrally apertured and is slidingly and rotatably mounted on thestem 22 between the annular head 44 and a fastener element 46,illustrated as a C-shaped locking washer, which snugly fits annulargroove 48 formed in stem 22. The control element 32 consits of two discmembers 50 and 52 which are joined or bonded together along their innerandoutermost horizontal extensions, or flanges, 54 and 56, respectively.The disc member 50 has a large central opening 51 and a verticalupturned flange 58, which serves as a control knob, as will be explainedhereinafter. The disc member 52 comprises a central circular plateportion which is apertured at 53 to fit about stem 22 and is disposedabove and connected with the horizontal extension 56. To hold thehorizontal extension portion of disc member 50 of the by-pass controlelement 32 in sealing engagement with the top 36 of the wall means 30, aspring 62 is disposed around the stem 22 and is held under compressionbetween circular plate portion 60 and fastener element 46. A washerelement 64 provided at the upper end of the spring 62 prevents it fromslipping over the fastener element 46.

The downwardly extending wall portion 38 of the wall means 30 of pump 10fits against the upper end of the wall portion 47 of the well 18 and thewall portion 38 extends part way into the well. To provide an inletpassageway indicated generally by the reference numeral 45 between theliquid container 16 and well 18, a plurality of openings or apertures,generally designated by the reference numeral 68 are provided in acircular path around the circular plate portion 60 and a plurality ofapertures or openings, generally designated by the reference numeral 70,are formed in a circular path in the top portion 36 of wall means 30. Toclose off this inlet passageway, a valve device is provided, whichconsists of a washer element 74 floatingly carried on a verticalL-shaped tubular extension 76 which is secured on the lower end of stem22. The washer element 74 rests on the lower end of the L-shaped tubularextension 76 until such time as the pressure in the well 18 rises abovethe pressure existing at the inlet passageway 45 through apertures 68and 70, and then the pressure in well 18 pushes the valve 74 upwardly toseal off the inlet passageway 45.

When the pressure in the well 18 rises to a level where the valve device74 closes off the inlet passageway 45, the steam and liquid trapped inthe well is forced up the hollow stem 22 and overflows at its upper endfalling on the perforated lid 78 of coffee basket 24, through which itpasses into the basket 24 where it contacts the comminuted material tobe decocted. The liquid extract passing through the perforations in thebottom of the basket 24 then returns to the main body of the liquidwithin the container 16. The tempertature of the liquid contained in theliquid container 16 is controlled by a pre-set thermostat unit (notshown) and the liquid is maintained hot, after the heating action by awarming heater 80.

In accordance with my invention, the strength of the brew that isdecocted in the cofieemaker 12 is determined by the volume of each slugof liquid that passes through stem 22, since a constant temperature andbrewing time are employed. The volume of each slug of liquid isdetermined by providing a by-pass passageway, indicated generally by thereference numeral 66 (see FIG. 8) between the well 18 and the liquidcontainer 16 to feed back to the liquid container a selected portion ofeach slug of liquid that is trapped in the well 18 when the valve device74 closes. This by-pass passageway is provided by one or more arcuatelyaligned apertures formed through the horizontal extension members 54 and56 of control element 32. The apertures, generally designated by thereference numeral 82, are alignable with either none or with one or moreof the apertures, generally designated by the reference numeral 84,formed in an outer arcuate pattern in the top 36 of wall means 30 of thepump 10. Selective control over the strength of the brew is provided byrotating control knob 58 of control element 32 to align either none orone or more of the apertures 82 with the apertures 84. Obviously, themore apertures that are aligned the more liquid will be permitted to beby-passed into the main body of the liquid in container 16 through theby-pass passageway 66 and consequently the volume of each liquid pulseflowing through and acting upon the beverage solids in the basket 24, inthe course of a decoction of a given length of time, will be less,resulting in a weakening of the strength of the brew.

To provide for accurate alignment between the apertures 82 and 84 uponeach setting, an indexing means is provided, which consists of aprojection or dimple 86 (FIGS. 6, 7 and 8) that projects upwardly fromthe top 36 of wall means 30 and is disposed in the arcuate patternformed by the apertures 84. The dimple 86 aligns and positions theby-pass control element .32 with respect to the top 36 by seating in oneof the apertures 82 formed in control element 32. An alternativeindexing arrangement would be to provide the dimple on the controlelement 32 to cooperate with the apertures 84 in the top 36 in the samemanner. To reset the control element 32, it is necessary for the controlknob 58 to be displaced axially a short distance against the pressure ofthe spring 62 to permit the horizontal flange or extension 54 to rideabove the height of the indexing dimple 86. v

The strength of the brew is of course selected before the percolatingaction is initiated and in using the liquid pump of my invention, it isnecessary to rotate the control knob 58 of the by-pass control element32 to the selected position before the stem 22 and pump 10 are insertedinto the container 16. To assist the user in setting the desiredstrength of the brew, indicia means is provided with liquid pump 10,which comprises markings, generally designated by the reference numeral88, on the outer margin 42 of the top 36 and an indicating mark 90 (FIG.2) on the outer surface of control knob 58. When the indicating line 90is moved to the S position, or marking (FIG. 2), none of the apertures82 are in alignment with the apertures 84 and consequently the by-passpassageway 66, resulting in the complete slug of liquid that is trappedin the well 18 being passed through the stem 22 to provide a strongbrew. When the indicating line 90 is moyed to the M position, all theapertures 82 are in alignment with the apertures 84 to provide thegreatest possible feedback of a portion of each liquid pulse through theby-pass passageway 66 to the liquid chamber 16, resulting in a mild brewdue to the fact that a smaller volume of liquid is passed through thecomminuted materials in the basket 24.

A stop limit device is also provided in the liquid pump 18 to restrictthe rotational movement of the bypass con trol element 32 between thestrong 5 and mild M positions,

which consists of an upstanding lug 96 or stop projecting verticallyfrom top 36 of wall means 30 that engages either ear 92 or 94, extendinghorizontally from the inner margin of horizontal flange 54, as thecontrol element 32 is rotated.

Although it is believed that from the foregoing description the use andoperation of the liquid pump assembly in a percolator type cotfee makeris obvious, a brief description of its operation will now be given. Theuser before inserting the stem 22 and pump 10 into the container 16 setsthe desired strength of the brew by pulling the control knob 58 slightlyupwardly against the bias of the spring 62 and rotating the knob untilthe indicating mark 90 is aligned with the desired setting. As the userreleases the control knob 58, the spring 62 forces the control element32 against the top 36 and the indexing dimple 86 seats in one of theapertures 82 to positively align the corresponding apertures 82 and 84.

The stem 22 with pump 10 and basket 24, holding the coffee or othercomminuted material, are then inserted through the top 25 of liquidcontainer 16 until the circular sidewall 38 of cup-shaped housing ofpump 10 is seated across the top of, and partly in, well 18. Topositively hold the stem 22 in a vertical position, the upper edges ofthe basket 24 are engaged by the lid 26 of the colfee maker and thebasket 24 is moved axially down a slight distance against the springbias of a weak spring 102 as the lid 26 is inserted through the topopening 25 of the liquid container 16. Spring 102 encircles stem 22 andis supported at its lower end by a C-shaped ring 104 on stem 22 and isretained on stem 22 by a second C- shaped ring 106 lightly above thefirst C-shaped ring. The spring 102 at its upper end bears against theunder side of basket 24.

An electrical outlet cord is connected to the two-prong plug 108 mountedin the base 14. The two-prong electrical plug unit 108 is connected byelectrical wires (not shown) to the electrical resistance heaterelements contained in heater assembly 28. A thermostat unit (not shown)which is in thermal contact with the bottom wall 17 of container 16 iselectrically connected between the heater elements and the electricalplug 108 in a conventional manner to raise the body of liquid in theliquid container 16 to a pre-set temperature. It is noted that only onethermostat unit is needed since the desired serving temperature ismaintained throughout the percolating cycle.

The liquid stored in liquid container 16 passes into the well 18 throughan inlet passageway 45 formed by the apertures 68 in disc 52 and theapertures 70 formed in top 36. The heating assembly 28 applies heat tothe liquid in well 18 and causes the pressure in the well to increaseuntil it rises above the pressure in the inlet passageway 45, at whichtime the valve 74 moves upwardly to close apertures 70 and the liquidtrapped in the well 18 is forced up through the stem 22. Depending uponthe setting of the brew control means, or element 32 a selected portionof each slug of liquid trapped in well 18 is fed back to the liquidcontainer 16 through the by-pass passageway 66 formed by the alignedopenings 82 and 84.

I claim:

1. A liquid pump for use in a percolator having a liquid container andfor use with a hollow stem adapted to be removably mounted in the liquidcontainer and adapted to carry a perforated container for comminutedmaterial adjacent to the upper end of said stem, said liquid pumpcomprising: a well disposed in the bottom of the liquid container, wallmeans which with the well defines a pump well chamber and defines arestricted opening adjacent the top of said pump well chamber forreceiving the lowermost end of the hollow stem, means thermallyassociated with the walls of said well for supplying heat to the pumpwell chamber, a passageway placing the liquid container in communicationwith said pump well chamber, valve means for closing said passagewaywhen the pressure in said chamber is greater than the existing pressurein said passageway, whereby the high pressure forces the liquid slugtrapped in said chamber up the hollow stem from which it overflows atthe upper end of the stem, falls upon the top of a perforated containercarried by the stem and passes through the container where it contactsthe comminuted material to be decocted, and by-pass means adjacent theupper end of the pump well chamber to feed back to the liquid containera selected portion of each liquid slug trapped in said chamber tothereby determine the volume of liquid that is pumped up the stem andpassed through the comminuted material in the perforated container.

2. A liquid pump as defined in claim 1, wherein said by-pass meansincludes an adjustable control means for selectively varying the portionof each liquid slug that is fed back to the liquid container to therebyvary the strength of the decoction.

3. A liquid pump as defined in claim 1, wherein said by-pass meanscomprises a by-pass passageway in said wall means for placing said pumpwell chamber and the liquid container in communication, and anadjustable control means for selectively closing off a portion of saidby-pass passageway to thereby regulate the portion of each liquid slugthat is fed back to the liquid container.

4. A liquid pump as defined in claim 1, wherein said wall means isdisposed adjacent the upper end of the pump well chamber and saidby-pass means comprises a plurality of apertures extending through saidWall means, and an adjustable control means for selectively opening oneor more of said apertures to thereby regulate the portion of each liquidslug that is fed back to the liquid container.

5. A liquid pump as defined in claim 4, wherein said control meanscomprises a disc member having a plurality of apertures adaptable to bemoved in aligned relationship with said Wall means such that theapertures in said disc member can be positioned in alignment with theapertures in said wall means, and biasing means for holding said discmember in sealing relationship with said wall means.

6. A liquid pump for use in a percolator having a liquid container andfor use with a hollow stem adapted to be remova'bly mounted in theliquid container and adapted to carry a perforated container forcomminuted material adjacent to the upper end of said stem, said liquidpump comprising: a well disposed in the bottom of the liquid container,wall means which with the well defines a pump well chamber and defines arestricted opening formed in the top of said pump well for receiving thelowermost end of the hollow stem, means thermally associated with wallsof said well for supplying heat to the pump well chamber, a passagewayplacing said pump well chamber in communication with the liquidcontainer, valve means for closing said passageway when the pressure insaid chamber is greater than the existing pressure in said passageway,whereby the high pressure forces the liquid slug trapped in said chamberup the hollow stem from which it overflows at the upper end of saidstern, falls upon the top of a perforated container carried by the stemand passes through the container where it contacts the comminutedmaterial to be decocted, a by-pass passageway formed through said wallmeans to feed back to the liquid container a portion of each liquid slugtrapped in said chamber, and adjustable control means carried on thelower end of the hollow stem for selectively varying the degree ofopening of said by-pass passageway to thereby regulate the portion ofeach liquid slug that is fed back to the liquid container.

7. A liquid pump as defined in claim 6, wherein the adjustable controlmeans is an apertured disc-like member disposed in abutting relationshipwith said wall means, together with a spring encircling the hollow stemand pressing against disc member to hold said disc member against saidwall means in sealing relationship.

8. A liquid pump as defined in claim 6, wherein said by-pass passagewayis formed by a plurality of apertures extending through the top of saidwall means and extending in an arcuate path around said restrictedopening, and said adjustable control means consists of a disclike memberoverlying said plurality of apertures and having a plurality ofapertures extending in the same arcuate path as said apertures in saidtop wall with said disc-like member being rotatable around the stem toselectively position some of the apertures in said disc-like member inalignment with some of the apertures in said wall means to therebyselectively control what portion of each slug of liquid trapped in saidpump well chamber is fed back to the liquid container.

9. A liquid pump as defined in claim 8, further comprising an indexingmeans for positively holding said disc-like member in a selectedposition relative to the,

apertures in said Wall means.

10. A liquid pump as defined in claim 9, wherein said indexing meanscomprises a projection extending from one of the adjoining surfaces ofsaid disc-like member and wall means and disposed in said arcuate path 8which projection is adapted to engage in one of the apertures in theother adjoining surface to positively align the corresponding aperturesin said disc-like member and said wall means.

11. A liquid pump as defined in claim 7, wherein said disc member andsaid wall means include indicia means for indicating the extent ofalignment of said apertures in said disc-like member with the saidapertures in said wall means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,008,267 11/1911 Holley 417-2092,248,595 7/1941 Weeks 103231.5 2,975,723 3/ 1961 Andrews 10323 1.5

CARLTON R. CROYLE, Primary Examiner R. GLUCK, Assistant Examiner

